Apparatus for transporting goods and for providing mobile seating

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for transporting goods, such as food and beverages, comprising a top portion, a bottom portion configured to contain at least one beverage holder, a first connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom, wherein the connected top portion and bottom portion are configured to form a carrier for storing and transporting goods, and a second connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the second connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to open along the connection formed by the first connector.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to objects for transporting goods, such as food and beverages, and more specifically to an apparatus for storing, retaining, securing, and/or protecting goods, such as food and beverages, while also allowing for mobile seating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food and beverage carriers or general transport devices are often stand-alone, single-use objects with no additional functionality and little or no aesthetic value. Further, in the circumstances and environments in which food and beverage carriers are used, there is often a need for mobile seating arrangements to provide additional comfort and stability to users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for transporting goods comprising a top portion, a bottom portion configured to contain at least one beverage holder, a first connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom, wherein the connected top portion and bottom portion are configured to form a carrier for storing and transporting goods, and a second connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the second connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to open along the connection formed by the first connector.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of an apparatus for transporting goods, such as food and beverages, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a front view of an apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a rear view of an apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a right-side view of an apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a left-side view of an apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a top view of an apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a bottom view of an apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram of an exploded apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram of an exploded apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram of an exploded apparatus for transporting goods in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIGS. 1-7 are diagrams of an apparatus for transporting goods, such as food and beverages, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the carrier comprises a bottom portion 1, a top portion 2, and at least one release latch 3 located in a release latch housing 4 so as to secure the bottom portion 1 to the top portion 2. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the carrier further comprises at least one fastener 5 on bottom portion 1 and/or top portion 2 allowing the carrier to be reversibly attached to another object including, but not limited to, rope, plastic handles, leather handles, rubber handles, nylon handles, backpacks, shoulder straps, adjustable straps, seating cushions, additional carriers, and any other object suitable for transporting one or more carriers. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, fastener 5 can be connected to the bottom portion 1 and/or top portion 2 using nut 6 and screw 7. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, fastener 5 can be button snaps, zipper, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, rings, D rings, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable conventional fastener for fastening the carrier to another object. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, screw 7 can be a nail, tack, screw, glue, bolt, socket, pin, ball and joint, or any other object suitable for fastening an object to the carrier.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, bottom portion 1 and/or top portion 2 are composed of materials such as plastic, metal, composite, ceramic, synthetic blends such as teflon, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable for providing similar aesthetic benefits and physical functionality to the carrier. These materials can be prepared in numerous color configurations and can also be configured to display certain insignia such as sports logos and other popular culture references. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosures, the carrier may have approximate dimensions of (12″×12″3″) or (13.50″ W×12.50″×3′H).

FIGS. 8-10 are diagrams of an apparatus for transporting food and beverages in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, the carrier comprises a bottom portion 1, a top portion 2, at least one hinge 9 fastened by at least one screw 10 to connect bottom portion 1 and top portion 2, and at least one release latch coupler 8 configured to connect to release latch 3 so as to secure the bottom portion 1 to the top portion 2. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the carrier further comprises at least one beverage mount 11 with beverage grips 12 wherein the at least one beverage mount 11 is secured to bottom portion 1 by at least one screw 13. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one beverage mount 11 can be arranged in bottom portion 1 such that the user can place multiple beverages and/or other food stuffs into the carrier at the same time. In another such embodiment, beverage mount 11 can be fully removable to allow the cavity of bottom portion 1 to be empty or house other goods.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, bottom portion 1 and top portion 2 are configured to be reversibly connected using release latch 3. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, release latch 3 can be a spring latch, draw latch, bolt latch, zipper, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable conventional fastener for fastening the carrier to another object.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, bottom portion 1 and top portion 2 are configured to be connected by at least one hinge 9. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, hinge 9 can be a European hinge, corner hinge, semi-concealed hinge, butt hinge, piano hinge, box hinge, shutter hinge, locking hinge, adjustable locking hinge, or any other suitable hinge for allowing the bottom portion 1 and top portion 2 to be closed and opened by the user. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, hinge 9 can be configured to allow bottom portion 1 and top portion 2 to be opened 180 degrees to form a flat surface. Hinge 9 can be configured to allow the user to lock hinge 9 at a desired angle between 0 and 180 degrees so as to serve other purposes such as a lap table, seating platform, back rest, or any other conventional use.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one beverage mount 11 with beverage grips 12 are composed of materials such as plastic, blow molded plastic, rubber, metal, composite, ceramic, synthetic blends such as teflon, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable for providing similar aesthetic benefits and physical functionality to the carrier.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which is not presently depicted in the figures, the carrier further comprises at least one separation layer between bottom portion 1 and top portion 2. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, this at least one separation layer is configured to be removable such that when the user intends to use the carrier to transport beverages and/or other food stuffs, the layer may be removed, but when the user would like to secure the items in place, the separation layer can be secured in place to prevent any spilling. Further, this separation layer can be configured to form a flat surface along the bottom portion 1 and/or top portion 2 such that the user can use the carrier as a lap table, seating platform, back rest, or any other conventional use.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for transporting food and beverages comprising: a top portion; a bottom portion configured to contain at least one beverage holder; a first connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom, wherein the connected top portion and bottom portion are configured to form a carrier for storing and transporting goods; and a second connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the second connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to open along the connection formed by the first connector.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one fastener configured to connect the apparatus to an object.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one fastener further comprises button snaps, zippers, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting the apparatus to an object.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to connect the apparatus to rope, plastic handles, leather handles, rubber handles, nylon handles, backpacks, shoulder straps, adjustable straps or seating cushions.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first connector further comprises a European hinge, corner hinge, semi-concealed hinge, butt hinge, piano hinge, box hinge, shutter hinge, locking hinge, adjustable locking hinge, or any other suitable hinge, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting top portion and bottom portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to be positioned in a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second connector further comprises a spring latch, draw latch, bolt latch, zipper, straps, magnets, buttons and button holes, fastening hooks, fastening latches, hook and loop fasteners, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional connector for connecting the top portion and bottom portion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one beverage holder further comprises a beverage grip configured to secure beverages into the beverage holder.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one beverage holder is secured to the bottom portion by at least one fastener.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one beverage holder is positioned along the periphery of the bottom portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one separation layer between the top portion and second portion, wherein the at least one separation layer is configured to be removable.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion, bottom portion, and the at least one beverage holder are composed of plastic, metal, composite, ceramic, synthetic blends such as teflon, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable.
 13. An apparatus for transporting food and beverages comprising: a top portion; a bottom portion configured to contain at least one beverage holder, wherein the at least one beverage holder is secured to the bottom portion by at least one fastener; a first connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom, wherein the connected top portion and bottom portion are configured to form a carrier for storing and transporting goods; a second connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the second connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to open along the connection formed by the first connector; and at least one fastener on the top portion and bottom portion, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to connect the apparatus to an object.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one beverage holder further comprises a beverage grip configured to secure beverages into the beverage holder.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one beverage holder is positioned along the periphery of the bottom portion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the top portion, bottom portion, and the at least one beverage holder are composed of plastic, metal, composite, ceramic, synthetic blends such as teflon, a combination thereof, or any other suitable conventional material suitable.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to be positioned in a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to connect the apparatus to rope, plastic handles, leather handles, rubber handles, nylon handles, backpacks, shoulder straps, or seating cushions.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one separation layer between the top portion and second portion, wherein the at least one separation layer is configured to be removable.
 20. An apparatus for transporting food and beverages comprising: a top portion; a bottom portion configured to contain at least one beverage holder, wherein the at least one beverage holder is positioned along the periphery of the bottom portion, and wherein the at least one beverage holder is secured to the bottom portion by at least one fastener; a first connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom, wherein the connected top portion and bottom portion are configured to form a carrier for storing and transporting goods, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one separation layer between the top portion and second portion, wherein the at least one separation layer is configured to be removable; a second connector configured to couple the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the second connector is configured to allow the top portion and bottom portion to open along the connection formed by the first connector in a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees; and at least one fastener on the top portion and bottom portion, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to connect the apparatus to rope, plastic handles, leather handles, rubber handles, nylon handles, backpacks, shoulder straps, adjustable straps, or seating cushions. 